Eighteen months ago, Chelsea were coming off their worst finish in the Premier League table since 1996. The season ahead offered no Champions League football – a competition in which the Blues have become a mainstay – and the uncertainty of a new manager attempting to right the ship. Everyone knows how that turned out. Chelsea had the title locked up weeks before the season officially ended. With fans expecting a repeat campaign, hopes were high for potentially a third title in four seasons. However, going into this weekend’s match against Southampton, Chelsea sat in third, 11 points back of leaders Manchester City. So, what happened? Have Chelsea taken a slight step back or have other clubs improved around them?